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Angraecum leonis is a compact
orchid from Madagascar. It like
warmth an high humidity to
produce its large fragrant
blooms. It is adaptable to
a range of light
conditions.
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Part I of this article
#2 FEED
YOUR PLANTS Most of the
orchids we grow are epiphytes.
Basically this means that they
grow on other trees but are not
parasites-they get all their
nutrients from rain and
wind-blow debris that lodges
among their roots. When we grow
these plants on our windowsill
they tend to be grown in fir
bark or sphagnum peat moss.
Neither of these mixes provide
any nutrients. Without extra
plant food or fertilizers,
orchids will not grow or bloom
well. The secret is to
fertilize your plants regularly
using a WEAK fertilizer or
plant-food solution. You are
more likely to kill your
orchids by over than under
feeding, hence the emphasis on
weak. Find out more about how
to fertilize your
orchids.
#3 COOLER
NIGHTS.
Most orchids
like a day and night
temperature variation of about
8 to 10 degrees year 'round,
especially to stimulate them to
bloom. As night temperatures
drop in the fall, or spring,
place plants next to a window
that is cracked at night to let
in a little cool air. Give your
plants this treatment for about
3 to 4 weeks and you should
begin to see flower stalks
emerging soon after. How low
should you let the night
temperature drop? For paphs and
phals, temperatures of about 55
to 60 degrees should suffice.
Make sure your plants are not
in a cold draft, or protect
them with a light curtain.
Placing them in an unheated
room at night will also do the
trick. Remember that day
temperatures need to be about
ten degrees
higher.
A
Wireless Min/Max
Thermometer
make this easy to track. If
your orchid plants have been
growing outside this summer,
you can simply leave them out
for a few more weeks. If
temperatures threaten to fall
below 55, all but the coolest
growing of orchids, such as
cymbidiums and
odontoglossums should be
brought in.
This method generally works
best with orchids that have
their natural flowering season
in the fall through spring
months, including most
phalaenopsis (moth orchids),
paphiopedilum(slipper orchids)
and
cattleyas.
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